Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for May 5, 2023

The Buck Stops Where?

During Harry Truman’s presidency, he had a small sign on his desk in the Oval Office that stated “The Buck Stops Here.” While the phrase refers to not shirking away from your responsibilities, it’s a good double entendre for what happens during the Senate’s “markup” process for the state’s proposed budget. On April 25, the Senate passed its version of the 14 appropriations bills that comprise the nearly $50 billion operating budget for FY ’24. Since the House didn’t adopt our figures, a conference committee consisting of members from both parties and chambers will hammer out the differences before the constitutional deadline of May 5, three days before we honor the birthday of Missouri’s legendary native son.

With 18 state departments, hundreds of officeholders and ongoing capital improvement and maintenance projects to fund, you can imagine how challenging it is to decide what bucks go where. The Senate Appropriations Committee I serve on works toward this end all session long as we conduct hearings with the various state departments, review the governor’s recommendations and consider the House’s version. I am grateful the Senate’s budget added or restored what I feel is vital funding that was withdrawn or omitted from the House’s fiscal blueprint, including $4.5 million for public libraries, $2 billion to widen Interstate 70 from Wentzville to Blue Springs and money for the Medicaid expansion voters approved in 2020. The Senate’s budget also fully funds school transportation and the K-12 Foundation Formula, allocates additional dollars to the Missouri State Public Defender System and provides well-deserved pay raises for our hardworking teachers, caseworkers and public safety personnel.

In addition to these important statewide disbursements, I proudly advocated for $47 million to invest in our community. When the budget earns a final stamp of approval from both chambers, I will go into more detail about this funding for critical economic development, public transit, health care and other initiatives.

Switching gears to legislative news, I’m disappointed to report the Senate passed House Joint Resolution 43 on April 27 with a straight party line vote of 24-10. Pending voter approval, HJR 43 would make it more difficult to amend our constitution by the will of the people, raising the threshold to pass an amendment to 57% of votes cast, or a simple majority in five out of our state’s eight congressional districts. Since the Senate modified the resolution, HRJ 43 will have to go back to the House for review.

With adjournment looming on May 12, the next six days will be madhouse at the State Capitol as legislators in both chambers attempt to move legislation toward the governor’s desk. I am the bill handler for House Bill 668, a measure that authorizes the Department of Economic Development to distribute one-time grants to enhance cybersecurity protection for critical infrastructure, giving preferential treatment to companies with less than 50 employees. The Senate Governmental Accountability Committee passed the bill on April 27, deeming it eligible for consideration by the entire Senate body. I look forward to leading these discussions!

May 2 is the last day to introduce guests on the Senate floor. On April 27, I was honored to welcome members of the St. Louis Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a leadership organization dedicated to empower and nurture African American children.

Senator Williams meets with members of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve our district or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.